KALAMAZOO, MI — Sheriff Richard Fuller and Ward Lawrence, his opponent in the Nov. 6 race for Kalamazoo County Sheriff, will debate each other at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at the MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette news hub, 300 S. Kalamazoo Mall.

The debate is free and open to the public. Whether you can attend or will simply read about the debate or watch the live stream of the event, readers are welcome to submit possible questions for the candidates. What do you want to ask about? The construction of the new jail? The financial outlook for the department? Crime trends in the county?

Lawrence, 52, who won the Republican primary over challenger Bruce LaBrie, is an 18-year veteran of the sheriff’s office. Lawrence is a sergeant with the sheriff’s department. With his election in 2008, Fuller was the first Democrat to be elected to the position of Kalamazoo County Sheriff since 1934. He unseated Sheriff Michael Anderson. Fuller had 20 years with the sheriff’s department before being elected sheriff.

Courtesy photoWard Lawrence

Lawrence has the backing of former sheriff Thomas Edmonds and the Greater Kalamazoo Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 98, while Fuller has the endorsement of the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce PAC and the Homebuilders Association of Greater Kalamazoo.

The two candidates actually claim many of the same goals: fiscal responsibility, responsible staffing and better staff morale. While Fuller says he has already made headway on those objectives during his tenure, Lawrence claims that tremendous amounts of work still remain.

What questions do you have for the candidates? Please feel free to leave them in the comment section below or email questions or issues to lmah@mlive.com.